Smoking Article Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A smoking article dispenser ( 100 ) comprises a dispenser housing configured to receive a cartridge ( 150 ) of smoking articles. The dispenser housing interior is configured with elements to dispense a smoking article when the cartridge is actuated between a first and second position. In addition, a cartridge for use with such a dispenser, such a dispenser in combination with such a cartridge and a method of operating such a dispenser.

The present invention relates to a dispenser for smoking articles suchas cigarettes and, more particularly, to a dispenser for smokingarticles having a smoking article indexing and ejection mechanism.

Various dispensers of smoking articles are known in the art whichcomprise a portable housing and means to dispense a single smokingarticle at a time from the dispenser. However, such known dispenserssuffer a number of drawbacks, including awkward, unreliable, cumbersomeand/or complex dispensing mechanisms. Furthermore, conventionaldispensers are generally configured such that a user has to manuallyload individual cigarettes one at a time. The present invention seeks toprovide an improved dispenser for smoking articles which overcomes thedrawbacks of the prior art.

In order to address the issues related to the prior art dispensers, adispenser has been developed that includes a reloadable cartridge-basedsolution. The dispenser of the invention facilitates significant designflexibility and a variety of casings and smoking article cartridges maybe implemented.

Accordingly, in an implementation, the present invention provides asmoking article dispenser comprising a dispenser housing configured toreceive a cartridge of smoking articles, wherein the dispenser housinginterior is configured with elements to dispense a smoking article whenthe cartridge is actuated between a first and second position.

The dispenser may further comprise a chassis configured to engage thecartridge, index and dispense smoking articles situated in thecartridge.

The dispenser housing may include a depressable lateral end wall portionthat engages and shifts the cartridge between the first and secondpositions.

The dispenser may further comprise a linking element operativelyconnected with the depressable lateral end wall portion. The linkingelement may also be operatively connected to actuate a lifting armbetween a smoking article engagement position and a smoking articledispensing position.

The chassis may include a plurality of cartridge engagement ribsconfigured to index and advance the smoking articles within thecartridge.

The lateral side walls of the chassis may be formed with the cartridgeengagement ribs.

The dispenser may further comprise a cartridge to receive smokingarticles, and the cartridge may further comprise a smoking articleindexing piston, and the smoking article indexing piston may interactwith the cartridge engagement ribs to index and advance the smokingarticles in the cartridge as the cartridge shifts between the first andsecond positions. The smoking article indexing piston may include sidewings configured to extend through apertures formed in the smokingarticle cartridge to engage the cartridge engagement ribs.

The dispenser housing may be configured with a resealable dispensingaperture

The dispenser may further comprise a displaceable aperture coverportion, which may be configured to be actuated between a first positioncovering the resealable dispensing aperture and a second positionuncovering the resealable dispensing aperture as the lateral wallportion of the dispenser is depressed.

The cartridge may include smoking article advancement stops formed as aplurality of ridges on an interior surface of the cartridge. Thecartridge may further include a plurality of smoking article advancementstops formed as a plurality of saw tooth elements on an interior surfaceof the cartridge.

In another implementation, the present invention provides a dispensercomprising a chassis defining a chamber to slideably receive a cartridgeof smoking articles having an opening for discharge of said smokingarticles from the cartridge, the chassis being configured such that whena cartridge is received in the chamber and slid relative to the chassistogether with the smoking articles in a first direction, the chassiscooperates with the cartridge to allow return movement of the cartridgerelative to the smoking articles in the opposite direction, therebydischarging a smoking article from the opening in the cartridge toenable it to be dispensed from the dispenser.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises a biasing element configured suchthat movement of the cartridge together with the smoking articlesrelative to the chassis in said first direction is against a forceprovided by the biasing element so that the cartridge returns in theopposite direction relative to the smoking articles upon release.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises a smoking article receiving elementslideable together with a cartridge, said receiving element beingconfigured to receive a smoking article discharged from a cartridgethrough said opening when the cartridge and the receiving element moverelative to the smoking articles in said opposite direction.

Preferably, the dispenser may comprise a dispensing aperture in thechassis, the smoking article receiving element being configured suchthat movement in said opposite direction moves said receiving elementinto a position in which a smoking article received in said receivingelement is aligned with said dispensing aperture.

The receiving element preferably moves together with the smoking articlereceived in the receiving element into a position in which said receivedsmoking article is aligned with said dispensing aperture.

The chassis preferably has first and second ends and the chamber ispreferably configured to receive a cartridge of smoking articles suchthat the longitudinal axis of each smoking article extends between saidfirst and second ends, the cartridge being slideable within the chassisin a lateral direction extending substantially perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis of said smoking articles to discharge a smokingarticle from the opening in the cartridge into the receiving element insaid lateral direction.

Preferably, the dispensing aperture is formed in the first end of thechassis such that a smoking article received in the receiving element isaligned with the dispensing aperture in a longitudinal direction.

The dispenser preferably comprises a lifting mechanism to push analigned smoking article in a longitudinal direction out of the receivingelement through the aperture in the first end of the chassis.

The lifting mechanism preferably actuates in response to movement of thecartridge in said opposite direction, and preferably includes a liftingelement to contact a lower end of an aligned smoking article and a leverthat cooperates with said lifting element to lift said element when thecartridge moves in said opposite direction.

The dispenser preferably comprises a slot in the receiving element, saidlifting member preferably being slideably received in said slot formovement towards and away from said dispensing aperture.

Said lifting member preferably has a pair of parallel pins spaced fromeach other in said longitudinal direction and the lever comprises an armhaving one end that is slideably received between said pins.

The lever is preferably pivotally mounted to the chassis at the otherend of the arm and comprises an actuating element for rotating the leverabout said pivot to lift said lifting member.

The dispenser preferably comprises a post on the chassis and a hook atsaid other end of the arm that extends around the post to pivotallymount the lever to the chassis, said actuating element being formed atthe free end of the hook.

The dispenser preferably comprises a track on the chassis, saidactuating element extending across said track.

A follower is preferably slideably received in the track and ispreferably configured so that it moves relative to the chassis alongsaid track during movement of the cartridge relative to the chassis.

Preferably, the track forms a complete circuit so that the followerreturns to its starting position having travelled the full length of thetrack.

The follower preferably engages the actuating element towards the end ofthe track such that further movement of the follower along said trackrotates said lever to lift the lifting element and push an alignedsmoking article in a longitudinal direction through the aperture.

Preferably, following rotation of the lever, the follower rides over theactuating element back into its start position such that the lever atleast partially rotates under its own weight in the opposite directionto lower the lifting member.

Preferably, the follower engages the actuating element as it moves alongthe track at the beginning of a subsequent movement of the cartridge ina first direction to rotate the partially rotated lever further in saidopposite direction to completely lower the lifting member.

The dispenser preferably comprises a cover to cover an open end of thechassis through which a cartridge can be inserted into the chassis andthe cover preferably forms a user-operable button to which pressure isapplied to move the cartridge relative to the chassis.

The dispenser preferably comprises an outer casing surrounding thechassis and has an aperture therein to correspond with the dispensingaperture in the chassis for the passage of smoking articlestherethrough.

The dispenser preferably includes a cartridge to contain smokingarticles removably positionable within the chassis.

The cartridge preferably comprises a piston configured to move togetherwith the cartridge in said first direction.

The dispenser preferably comprises a ratchet mechanism that permitsreturn movement of the cartridge relative to said piston and smokingarticles contained in the cartridge.

The ratchet mechanism preferably comprises a flexible pawl on the pistonthat protrudes through an opening in the cartridge, and a series ofspaced, fixed cooperating elements formed on the chassis, wherein theflexible pawl flexes and passes over a fixed cooperating member on thechassis when the piston moves together with the cartridge in said firstdirection, said flexible pawl binding against said fixed cooperatingmember to prevent movement of the piston when the cartridge moves insaid opposite direction.

Preferably, the fixed cooperating elements are spaced by at least thediameter of a smoking article contained in the cartridge such that thecartridge moves relative to the piston by a distance sufficient toenable a smoking article to be discharged from the cartridge.

The dispenser preferably comprises cooperating members between thepiston and the cartridge to retain the piston in position relative tothe cartridge as the cartridge moves in the first direction.

The cooperating members preferably comprise a series of ribs on thecartridge and a flexible tip on the piston, wherein the flexible tipflexes and passes over a rib when the cartridge moves in said oppositedirection relative to the piston, and wherein said flexible tip bindsagainst a rib to prevent movement of the piston relative to thecartridge in the first direction.

The present invention also provides a cartridge for a dispensercomprising a chassis, as described above, comprising a housing havingside walls and an open end wall for the discharge of smoking articlesfrom the cartridge, and a piston slideably received in the cartridge,the piston comprising a flexible pawl extending through an opening inthe side wall for engagement with corresponding cooperating elements inthe chassis.

Preferably, a flexible tab extends from a side wall across the open endwall to prevent smoking articles from falling out through said open endwall prior to insertion into a dispenser.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises cooperating members between thepiston and the cartridge to retain the piston in position relative tothe cartridge as the cartridge moves in the first direction.

The cooperating members preferably comprise a series of ribs on thecartridge and a flexible tip on the piston, wherein the flexible tipflexes and passes over a rib when the cartridge moves in said oppositedirection relative to the piston, and wherein said flexible tip bindsagainst a rib to prevent movement of the piston relative to thecartridge in the first direction.

The invention also provides a method of operating a dispenser comprisinga chassis defining a chamber and a cartridge of smoking articlesslidably received in the chamber and having an opening for discharge ofsaid smoking articles from the cartridge, comprising sliding thecartridge relative to the chassis together with the smoking articles ina first direction, the chassis cooperating with the cartridge to allowreturn movement of the cartridge relative to the smoking articles in theopposite direction, and discharging a smoking article from the openingin the cartridge to enable it to be dispensed from the dispenser.

Preferably, the dispenser includes a biasing element configured, themethod preferably including moving the cartridge together with thesmoking articles relative to the chassis in said first direction againsta force provided by the biasing element and the cartridge returning inthe opposite direction relative to the smoking articles upon release.

Preferably, the dispenser includes a receiving element slideabletogether with a cartridge, the method preferably including a smokingarticle discharged from the cartridge through said opening beingreceived in said receiving element when the cartridge and the receivingelement move relative to the smoking articles in said oppositedirection.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises a dispensing aperture in thechassis, the method preferably including moving said receiving elementinto a position in which a smoking article received in said receivingelement is aligned with said dispensing aperture when the smokingarticle receiving is moved in said opposite direction.

The method preferably comprises moving the receiving element togetherwith the smoking article received in the receiving element into aposition in which said received smoking article is aligned with saiddispensing aperture.

The method preferably further comprising pushing the aligned smokingarticle in a longitudinal direction out of the receiving element thoughan aperture in the chassis.

Depending on the implementation, the dispensing aperture and thedispensed smoking articles may be configured with complementaryaperture/axial shapes. For example, the dispenser aperture may beconfigured as an oval, square, triangle or other shape particularlysuited to dispense complementary shaped smoking articles.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a dispenser of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded front perspective view of the dispenser of FIG.1 including a cartridge of the invention for use with the dispenser;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are sequential perspective views of the dispenser andcartridge of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the stages of a dispensing operationwith the internal features of the lifting arm visible;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are sequential perspective views of the dispenser andcartridge, similar to that of FIGS. 3A to 3D showing the stages of adispensing operation, but with the internal features of the cartridgeand chassis visible;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a perspective views from each side of the outercasing of the dispenser of FIGS. 1 to 4 with a respective side portionof the outer casing shown in dashed lines in each view;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cartridge of the invention as shownin FIG. 2, for use in the dispenser of FIGS. 1 to 4, filled with acharge of cigarettes;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a blank of the cartridge of FIGS. 6 and7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIG. 8with one side folded;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIGS. 8and 9 with both sides folded;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIGS. 8to 10 with both sides folded and the tabs forming the ratchet teeth onthe top and bottom sides folded inwards;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIG. 11with the bottom side folded upwards to from the bottom face of thecartridge;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIG. 12with the top side folded downwards to form the top face of thecartridge;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the blank of the cartridge of FIG. 13from the opposite side, with the end tab folded over;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the cartridge of FIG. 14 showing the ratchetteeth on the insides of the top and bottom faces in dashed lines;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a first portion of a piston of thecartridge;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second portion of the piston of thecartridge;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views of the end door of the dispenserof FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a lifting arm of the dispenser of FIGS.1 to 4;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views of a lifting arm support memberof the dispenser of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a receiver element of the dispenser ofFIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a lifting foot of the dispenser ofFIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a linkage of the dispenser of FIGS. 1to 4;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a leaf spring of the dispenser of FIGS.1 to 4;

FIG. 25 is a side view showing internal details of the dispenser ofFIGS. 1 to 4 but with an alternative cartridge of the invention in placeof the first-described cartridge of FIGS. 6 to 17 of the invention;

FIG. 26 is side view of the alternative cartridge of the invention ofFIG. 25 showing internal details but with the piston omitted;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the piston of the alternative cartridge of theFIGS. 25 and 26;

FIGS. 28A1 to 28D2 are a series of schematic sequential side views andcorresponding plan views of a dispenser of the invention combined withthe alternative cartridge of the invention showing the stages of adispensing operation, with internal features visible; and

FIGS. 29A-29C are a series of schematic sequential plan views showingthe movement of the piston within the alternative cartridge of in theinvention.

Annex 1 and Annex 2 illustrate side/top views of additional aspects ofcomponents described above in a progression of component positions forindexing and dispensing smoking articles.

For the purposes of the exemplary embodiments shown and describedherein, reference to smoking articles to be dispensed from thedispensers of the invention are described as ‘cigarettes’, but it shouldbe understood that this term shall be taken as meaning any smokingarticle, not necessarily limited to cigarettes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 24, a cigarette dispenser 100 of a firstembodiment of the present invention is shown and includes an outercasing 110 and an end door 112 pivotably mounted to an open end 110 a ofthe outer casing 110 to open and close the open end 110 a of outercasing 110. The end door 112 is also slidably mounted to the outercasing 110 such that when the end door 112 is in the closed position andcovers the open end 110 a of the outer casing 110, it can slide into theouter casing 110 and thereby function as a user-operable button duringoperation of the dispenser 100, as will be described in more detailhereafter. The end door 112 includes hinge projections 112 a (see FIG.18B) which are received in a channel 110 b (see FIG. 2) in the inside ofthe outer casing 110 to enable the sliding and pivoting movementdescribed above.

The dispenser 100 includes a chassis 120 (see FIG. 2) within the outercasing 110 which defines a chamber configured to receive a cartridge 150of cigarettes ‘S’. The chassis 120 and cartridge 150 are configured suchthat once a cartridge 150 is fully inserted into the chamber of thechassis 120, the cartridge 150 is slidable within the chassis 120 in areciprocating movement.

The chassis 120 includes two side walls 124, and a top wall 126, abottom wall 128 and an end wall 130 which together define the chamber.The chamber is open at one end 132 opposite the end wall 130 for theinsertion of the cartridge 150 into the chamber. The top wall 126includes a dispensing aperture 126 a (see FIG. 2) through whichcigarettes are dispensed from the dispenser 100. The outer casing 110also includes a dispensing aperture 110 c which is aligned with thedispensing aperture 126 a of the chassis 120. Depending on theimplementation, the dispensing aperture 110 c in the outer casing 110may be closed off by an actuatable cover element that keeps thecigarettes in the dispenser 100 fresh. In an implementation, such acover may be actuated into an open position as the end door 112 isactuated by a user to dispense a cigarette S and is then closed afterthe cigarette has been dispensed.

The chassis 120 is retained within the outer casing 110 by means of alocking key 114 which extends from the outside of the outer casing 110,though an end wall thereof, and engages with a corresponding cooperatingmeans 120 a formed on the end wall 130 of the chassis 120. Suchengagement may comprise a press-fit, snap-fit or any other suitableengagement means or element within the scope of the invention.

The inside face of each chassis side wall 124 includes a plurality ofvertical ribs 134 (see FIGS. 2 and 25) protruding therefrom regularlyspaced along the length of each chassis side wall 124. The spacing ofeach rib 134 corresponds approximately to the diameter of the cigaretteswithin a cartridge 150 which are to be dispensed from the dispenser 100.

An implementation of a cartridge 150 of the invention, for use with thedispenser 100, is shown in FIGS. 6 to 17, and is formed from a blank 152of card (see FIG. 8) which is folded as shown in FIGS. 9 to 14. Thecartridge 150 (shown assembled in FIG. 14) comprises two side walls 154,a top wall 156, a bottom wall 158 and an end wall 160 which togetherdefine a space within the cartridge 150 to contain the cigarettes S. Thecartridge 150 is open at one end 162 opposite the end wall 160 for themovement of cigarettes S out of the cartridge 150 during a dispensingoperation. One side wall 154 includes a side tab 164 which is foldedacross the open end 162 and attached to the opposite side wall 154. Eachside wall 154 includes a large aperture 154 a formed therein. The topand bottom walls 156, 158 each include a series of ratchet teeth 156 a,158 a (see FIGS. 8-12) extending therefrom, such that when the blank 152is formed, the ratchet teeth 156 a, 158 a are folded at right angles tothe top wall 156 and bottom wall 158 respectively (see FIGS. 11 and 12).When the portions of the blank 152 comprising the top wall 156 andbottom wall 158 are then folded to form the constructed cartridge 150,the ratchet teeth 156 a of the top wall 156 extend downward toward thebottom wall of the cartridge 150 parallel to and disposed against therespective adjacent side walls 154, and the ratchet teeth 158 a of thebottom wall 158 extend upward toward the top wall of the cartridge 150parallel to and disposed against the respective adjacent side walls 154.

A piston 170 (see, for example, FIG. 7) is provided within the cartridge150 to push the row of cigarettes S through and out of the cartridge 150during dispensing operations as will be described hereafter, andcomprises an elongate element 172 which is of a generally square‘U’-shape in cross-section (see FIGS. 7 and 16) and, a panel element 174which is attached to the elongate element 172 proximate the middle ofits front face 172 a. The panel element 174 includes lateral side wings174 a which are angled outwardly and rearwards, as shown in FIGS. 7 and17. The lateral side wings 174 a are elastically resilient such that ifdeflected inwards, they will naturally tend to return to their originaloutwardly protruding position.

The piston 170 is received within the cartridge 150 with the front face172 a nearest the chassis open end 132 and the side wings angled awayfrom the chassis open end 132. The piston 170 is configured such thatwhen it is received within the cartridge 150, the side wings 174 a ofpanel element 174 extend though the apertures 154 a in the side walls154.

The chassis 120 further comprises a leaf spring 136 and a receiver 138(see, for example, FIG. 2). The leaf spring 136 is located at the farend of the chamber within the chassis 120 against the end wall 130, andthe receiver 138 is also located at the far end of the chamber withinthe chassis 120 situated adjacent to and abutting against the leafspring 136. The receiver 138 comprises an elongate cuboid member ofsubstantially square cross-section, with an open cigarette-receivingchannel 138 a formed along a length of the receiver 138 which is alignedwith the dispensing aperture 126 a in the top wall 126 of the chassis120. The receiver 138 further comprises two small guide slots 138 b, oneformed in each of opposing side walls of the receiver 138. The guideslots 138 b extend from the bottom of the receiver 138 in communicationwith the channel 138 a upwards along a portion of the height of thereceiver 138. A lifting foot 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 22) is provided whichcomprises a platform 140 a disposed within the channel 138 a with a pairof vertical arms 140 b extending upwardly from the platform 140 a andwhich are disposed in respective ones of the guide slots 138 b. Eachvertical arm 140 b includes a pair of guide pins 140 c extendingperpendicularly outwards from each vertical arm 140 b though therespective adjacent guide slot 138 b in the receiver 138. Each of theside walls 124 of the chassis 120 also includes a guide slot 124 aaligned with the guide slot 138 b in the respective side of the receiver138 such that the guide pins 140 c extend through the chassis side wallguide slots 124 a, as well as the though the receiver guide slots 138 b.The chassis guide slots 124 a in the side walls 124 are contoured attheir base to form a generally ‘L’ shaped configuration (see FIG. 2).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, 4A-4D and 19-20B, the chassis 120 furtherincludes a lifting arm 180 comprising an inner arm 182 held in a supportmember 184. The support member 184 has an aperture 184 a at one endwhich locates on a support lug 186 protruding from one side wall 124 ofthe chassis 120. The opposite end of the inner arm 182 from the aperture184 a is disposed between upper and lower guide pins 140 c of thelifting foot 140 such that rotational movement of the lifting arm 180about the support lug 186 causes the lifting foot 140 to be raised andlowered within the channel 138 a of the receiver 138 and guide slots 138b, 124 a in the receiver 138 and chassis side walls 124 respectively.

The chassis side wall 124 on which the lifting arm 180 is mounted alsoincludes a pair of bosses 188 situated laterally (see, for example,FIGS. 2, 3B, 4B) between the guide slot 124 a and the support lug 186.The bosses 188 are vertically spaced from one another and are configuredto constrain movement of the lifting arm 180. The bosses 188 therebyserve to define the upward and downward limits of movement of thelifting arm 180 as the support member 184 abuts against them.

The same side wall 124 of the chassis 120 which supports the lifting arm180 also includes a guide track 190 formed thereon defined by a curvedprotruding wall element upstanding from the face of the side wall 124.The guide track 190 is positioned above the support lug 186 andcomprises an elongate teardrop loop defined around an island element 190a (see FIGS. 2 and 25), and the converging part at the point of the‘teardrop’ shaped loop is directly above the support lug 186. The innerarm 182 of the lifting arm 180 includes a portion which extends aroundthe support lug 186 and outwards in a radial direction of the supportlug 186 and terminates to provide a contact end 182 a (see FIGS. 2,3C/4C, 19) disposed in the converging portion of the guide track 190.Thereby, movement of the contact end 182 a of the inner arm 182 causesthe lifting arm 180 to pivot about the support lug 186 within theconfines of the bosses 188, and thereby causes the lifting foot 140 tobe raised or lowered.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 23, a linkage element 192 is coupledbetween the end door 112 and the chassis 120 and comprises a bar with afirst coupling pin 192 a extending therefrom and rotatably received inan aperture 112 b in the end door 112 (see FIG. 18B), and a secondcoupling pin 192 b extending from the opposite side of the opposite endof the bar, which is retained within the guide track 190. Thereby,reciprocating movement of the end door 112 relative to the chassis 120causes the second coupling pin 192 b to travel around the guide track190 around the island element 190 a as the linkage element 192 pivotsabout the first coupling pin 192 a. Further, the linkage element 192 isconfigured and located relative to the support member 184 of the liftingarm 180 such that as the end door 112 moves in a first forwarddirection, the linkage element 192 rests on the support member 184 andthe second coupling pin 192 b is led along the top portion of the guidetrack 190 and, as the end door 112 moves in the opposite returndirection, the second coupling pin 192 b continues around and back onthe lower portion of the guide track 190.

Operation of the cigarette dispenser 100 of the invention, incombination with a cartridge 150 of the invention, will now bedescribed, with particular reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D and 4A to 4D.Firstly, a user pivots the end door 112 open to expose the open end 110a of outer casing 110. A cartridge 150 filled with cigarettes S isinserted into the chamber of the chassis 120 until the open end 162 ofthe cartridge 150 abuts the receiver 138. In this position, thecartridge 150 is fully inserted within the chassis 120 and the end ofthe cartridge 150 proximate the end wall 160 extends a short way out ofthe open end 132 of the chassis 120. The end door 112 is then shut toclose the outer casing 110 with the inner face of the end door 112 justin contact with the end wall 160 of the cartridge 150 and the secondcoupling pin 192 b located in the guide track 190. The dispenser 100 isthen ready for use.

To dispense a cigarette S from the dispenser 100, a user pushes the enddoor 112 as an operating button inwards towards and into the outercasing 110. The end door 112 engages and actuates the end wall 160 ofthe cartridge 150 to cause the cartridge 150 to slide forwards furtherinto the chamber 122 of chassis 120. This is shown in the movement fromFIG. 3A to 3B and FIG. 4A to 4B. As this happens, the uppermost andlowermost corners of the elongate element 172 of the piston 170 act aspawls and bind against the ratchet teeth 156 a, 158 a of the cartridge150 (as illustrated in Annex 1) and thereby the piston 170, togetherwith the smoking articles ahead of the piston 170, is forced to moveforwards together with the cartridge 150 within and relative to thechassis 120. As the piston 170 moves forwards within the chassis 120,the side wings 174 a of the piston 170 are deflected inwards in order toride over and past the next vertical rib 134 on the inside of the sidewall 124 of the chassis 120, forward of their starting position. Afterriding over and past each vertical rib 134, the side wings deflect backoutwards. Simultaneously, the cartridge 150 pushes against the receiver138 which moves forwards together with the cartridge 150 and compressesthe leaf spring 136 against the end wall 130 of the chassis 120. Thelifting foot 140 moves forward with the receiver 138 such that the guidepins 140 c locate in the bottom forward-most part of the ‘L’ shape ofthe guide slots 124 a in the side walls 124 of the chassis 120. Duringthis movement, the second coupling pin 192 b moves forwards in the upperpart of the guide track 190 and pushes against and passes over thecontact end 182 a of the lifting arm 180, rotating the lifting arm 180downwards about the support lug 186 to its lowermost position with thesupport arm 184 abutting against the bottom boss 188. The distal end ofthe inner arm 182 located between the guide pins 140 c of the liftingfoot 140 causes the lifting foot to be in its lowered position, althoughat this stage it is held at this level by being within the forward-mostpart of the ‘L’ shape of the guide slots 124 a in the side walls 124 ofthe chassis 120.

As the user releases the end door 112, the biasing force exerted by thecompressed leaf spring 136 pushes the receiver 138 and abuttingcartridge 150 backwards in the opposite direction to return to the startposition. However, the side wings 174 a of the piston 170 now act aspawls and bind against the vertical ribs 134 on the inside of the sidewall 124 of the chassis 120 which they previously rode over on theforward movement and thereby prevent the piston 170 from movingbackwards and returning with the cartridge 150. This causes thecartridge 150 to move backwards under the force of the leaf spring 136but the piston 170 and row of cigarettes S ahead of the piston 170remain stationary in the advanced position relative to the chassis 120.This causes the lead cigarette S within the cartridge 150 to be pushedout of the cartridge open end 162. As the cartridge 150 moves backwardsrelative to the chassis 120 and to the piston 170, the uppermost andlowermost corners of the elongate element 172 of the piston 170 rideover the adjacent ratchet teeth 156 a, 158 a of the cartridge 150 andlocate against the flat vertical face 159 (see FIG. 7) of the nextratchet teeth 156 a, 158 a of the cartridge 150.

As the receiver 138 moves backwards under the force of the leaf spring136, it moves towards the stationary row of cigarettes S and engages thelead cigarette S just ejected from the cartridge 150, into the channel138 a. The lifting foot 140, at this time, also moves backwards with thereceiver 138 so that the lead cigarette S becomes located on top of theplatform 140 a and, simultaneously, the second coupling pin 192 b beginsto travel along the lower return path in the guide track 190 below theisland element 190 a. The channel 138 a in the receiver moves intoalignment with the dispensing apertures 126 a, 110 c in the chassis 120and outer casing 110, respectively. This part of the dispensingoperation is shown in the movement from FIG. 3B to 3C and FIG. 4B to 4C.

Finally, as the end door 112 and cartridge 150 reach the end of thebackward movement and return to the starting position again, the secondcoupling pin 192 b moves backwards in the lower part of the guide track190 until it reaches and pushes against the contact end 182 a of thelifting arm 180, thereby rotating the lifting arm 180 upwards about thesupport lug 186 to its uppermost position with the support arm 184abutting against the upper boss 188. This causes the distal end of theinner arm 182 located between the guide pins 140 c of the lifting foot140 to lift the lifting foot 140 upwards to its raised position, as theguide pins 140 c travel upwards within the guide slots 138 b, 124 a ofthe receiver 138 and the side walls 124 of the chassis 120. This causesthe lead cigarette to be lifted upwards on the platform 140 a and out ofthe dispensing apertures 126 a, 110 a in the chassis 120 and outercasing 110 respectively. This part of the dispensing operation is shownin the movement from FIG. 3C to 3D and FIG. 4C to 4D.

At the very end of its movement, the second coupling pin 192 b passesover the contact end 182 a of the lifting arm 180, and is thereforeready to repeat the above-described process by pushing and rotating thelifting arm 180 downwards again on the next dispensing operation.However, after the second coupling pin 192 b passes over the contact end182 a of the lifting arm 180, the lifting foot 140 and lifting arm 180may naturally fully or partially drop under their own weight, althoughthis does not affect subsequent dispensing operations.

The above-described dispensing process is repeated for each cigarette Sto be dispensed from the cartridge 150 out of the dispenser 100, andeach time, the piston 170 indexes forwards relative to the cartridge 150and chassis 120 by the ratchet mechanism comprising the side wings 174 aon the vertical ribs 134 and elongate member 172 ends on the ratchetteeth 156 a, 158 a. When the cartridge 150 is empty, the forwardsmovement of the cartridge 150 pushes the piston 170 forwards right tothe open end 162 of the cartridge 150 such that the side wings 174 aengage with the edges of the apertures 154 a and are deflected inwardsas the piston 170 is further advanced so that they lie flat against theside walls 154 of the cartridge. In this position, they are out ofsnagging engagement with the vertical ribs 134 on the inside walls 124of the chassis 120. A user may then open the end door 112 and easilyremove the spent cartridge 150 and replace it with a fresh fullcartridge 150. The dispenser 100 is then reloaded and ready for use asdescribed above.

The invention described above includes a dispenser 100, a cartridge 150for use with the dispenser 100 and a dispenser 100 in combination withthe cartridge 150. An alternative embodiment of a cartridge 250 of theinvention will now be described which is also suitable for use with thesame dispenser 100 as already described, and so detailed description ofthe dispenser 100 will not be repeated.

The alternative embodiment of a cartridge 250 of the invention is shownin FIGS. 25 to 28D and comprises a housing comprising two side walls254, a top wall 256, a bottom wall 258 and an end wall 260 whichtogether define a space within the cartridge 250 to contain thecigarettes S. The cartridge 250 is open at one end 262 (see FIG. 26)opposite the end wall 260 for the movement of cigarettes S out of thecartridge 250 during an above-described dispensing operation. Eachcartridge side wall 254 includes a large aperture 254 a formed therein.Each of the cartridge top and bottom walls 256, 258 include a series ofhorizontal ribs 256 a, 258 a extending inwardly therefrom across thewidth of the respective wall 256, 258. The ribs 256 a, 258 a in eachseries are regularly spaced along the length of each side respectivewall 256, 258 and the spacing corresponds approximately to the spacingof the vertical ribs 134 of the chassis side walls 124, which correspondapproximately to the diameter of the cigarettes within the cartridge 250which are to be dispensed from the dispenser 100.

A piston 270 (see FIGS. 25 and 27) is provided within the cartridge 250to push the row of cigarettes S through and out of the cartridge 250during dispensing operations as described above, and comprises anelongate element 272 which is a generally rigid and rectangular flatpanel. The elongate element 272 has a pair of lateral side wings 274,one wing extending from approximately the middle of each of the longside edges, and which are angled outwardly and rearwards (when thecartridge is inserted into the dispenser). The piston 270 also includesa pair of end tabs 276, one extending from each of the top and bottomedges of the elongate element 272 and which are also angled outwardlyand rearwards (when the cartridge is inserted into the dispenser).

The piston 270 is received within the cartridge 250 orientated such thatthe side wings 274 and end tabs 276 angled away from the open end 262with the end tabs 276 resting against the top and bottom walls 256, 258of the cartridge 250 between the ribs 256 a, 258 a. The piston 270 isconfigured such that when it is received within the cartridge 250, theside wings 274 extend though the apertures 254 a in the side walls 254.Furthermore, both the side wings 274 and the end tabs 276 areelastically resilient and so when caused to be deflected inwards, exerta return biasing force in an outward direction.

The operation of the dispenser 100 in use with the alternative cartridge250 of the invention is very similar to that described above with thefirst-described cartridge 150, and so will not be repeated here in itsentirety. Only the function of the differing features will be described.

To dispense a cigarette S from the dispenser 100, end door 112 is pushedinwards towards and into the outer casing 110. The end door 112 pushesthe end wall 260 of the cartridge 250 to cause the cartridge 250 toslide forwards further into the chamber of chassis 120. This is shownschematically in the movement from FIG. 28A1 to 28C1 and 28A2 to 28C2.As this happens, the end tabs 276 of the piston 270 act as pawls andbind against the horizontal ribs 256 a, 258 a. Thereby, the piston 270,together with the smoking articles ahead of the piston 270, is forced tomove forwards with the cartridge 250 relative to the chassis 120. As thepiston 270 moves forwards within the chassis 120, the side wings 274 ofthe piston 270 are deflected inwards (see arrows P1 in FIG. 28B2 andFIG. 29B) as they are made to ride over and past the next vertical rib134 on the inside of each side wall 124 of the chassis 120, forward oftheir starting position. Having past the next vertical rib 134, the sidewings 274 spring outwards under their elastic resilience (see arrows P2in FIG. 28C and FIG. 29C) and then locate against the forward edge ofthe vertical ribs 134 they just passed over. Simultaneously, thecartridge 250 pushes against the receiver 138 which moves forwardstogether with the cartridge 250 and compresses the leaf spring 136against the end wall 130 of the chassis 120 as described previously.

As the user releases the end door 112, the biasing force exerted by thecompressed leaf spring 136 pushes the receiver 138 and abuttingcartridge 250 backwards to return to the start position. However, theside wings 274 of the piston 270 now act as pawls and bind against thevertical ribs 134 on the inside of each side wall 124 of the chassis 120which they previously rode over on the forward movement and therebyprevent the piston 270 from returning with the cartridge 250. Thiscauses the cartridge 250 to move backwards under the force of the leafspring 136 but the piston 270 and row of cigarettes S ahead of thepiston 270 remain stationary in the advanced position relative to thechassis 120. A lead cigarette S in the cartridge 250 is pushed out ofthe cartridge open end 262. As the cartridge 250 moves backwardsrelative to the chassis 120 and to the piston 270, the end tabs 276 ofthe piston 270 ride over the next adjacent horizontal rib 256 a, 258 aand locate thereagainst. This position is shown in FIG. 28D, in whichthe cartridge 250 is returned to the starting position and the leadingcigarette S has been pushed from the cartridge 250 (and is shownpartially elevated in FIG. 28D) and may be dispensed from the dispenser100 as described above. The remaining steps of the dispensing operationare as already described.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the dispenser of the invention andtwo exemplary embodiments of the cartridge of the invention for use insuch a dispenser have been described above, it will be appreciated thatvarious modifications may be made to these embodiments within the scopeof the invention which is defined by the claims hereafter, the inventionalso including a dispenser in combination with a cartridge. Anycombinations of non-mutually exclusive features described above areintended to fall within the scope of the invention.

The first-described cartridge 150 is intended to be made from card,although may be made from other suitable materials such as plastic, or acombination of materials (for example, the piston 170 may be made fromplastic and the blank 172 of the cartridge 150 made from card, or viceversa). Also, although the piston 170 of the first cartridge 150 isdescribed as being made from two separate components, it may equally bemade integrally as single body.

Similarly, the alternative cartridge embodiment 250 may be made from anysuitable material such as plastic or card, or a combination ofmaterials. Also, although the piston 270 of the second cartridge 250 isdescribed as being made as single integral body, it may equally be madefrom two or more separate components joined together.

The cartridge 150/250 is intended to be a replaceable and disposablecomponent with which the dispenser 100 can be reloaded with a new fullcartridge 150/250 once all of the cigarettes in the previous cartridge150/250 have been dispensed and said previous cartridge 150/250 removedfrom the chassis 120 and discarded.

The first-described cartridge 150 is shown as including a side tab 164which extends across the open end 162 of the cartridge 150. This isintended to retain the cigarettes within the cartridge 150 duringmanufacture, packing and distribution, until the end user is ready toload the cartridge 150 into the dispenser 100. At this point, the userbreaks the tab 164 manually by tearing or otherwise, prior to insertionof the cartridge 150 into the dispenser 100. However, the tab may bebreakable upon first dispensing operation, for example, if a line ofweakness is provided in the tab 164 such that when the piston 170 isfirst indexed forwards relative to the cartridge 150, the lead cigaretteS breaks the tab 164 to allow it to be dispensed. The second describedcartridge 250 may include such a retaining and/or breakable tab withinthe scope of the invention.

In both the first-described cartridge 150 and the alternative cartridge250, the cartridge 150/250 may be initially supplied with the piston170/270 positioned back within the cartridge 150/250 proximate the rearwall 160/260 thereof such that the side wings 174 a/274 of the piston170/270 are restrained within the cartridge 150/250 between the sidewalls 154/254, and not extending through the large apertures 154 a/254 ain the side walls 154/254. Then, upon an initial dispensing operation ofthe dispenser 100 as described above, the piston 170/270 is movedtowards the open end 162/262 of the cartridge 150/250 until the sidewings 174 a/274 of the piston 170/270 reach the large apertures 154a/254 a in the side walls 154/254 and spring outwardly to extendtherethrough. Alternatively, however, the cartridge 150/250 may beinitially supplied with the side wings 174 a/274 of the piston 170/270already protruding through the large apertures 154 a/254 a in the sidewalls 154/254.

The locking key 114 which secures the chassis 120 within the outercasing 110 can be detachable from the cooperating means on the end wall130 of the chassis 120 to enable the chassis 120 to be removed from theouter casing 110. This facility may enable a user to interchangedifferent styles or designs of outer casing for the dispenser 100, whileretaining the same internal components of the chassis 120.

The end door 112 is described as being slidable within the outer casing110 and pivotable relative thereto to enable reloading of the chassis120 with a new cartridge 150/250. However, the end door 112 may equallybe removable from the outer casing 110 within the scope of theinvention. It will also be appreciated that the end door could beprovided as a replaceable component attached to the cartridge 150/250and engageable with the lifting arm mechanism upon replacement of thecartridge 150/250. Furthermore, although the above embodiments describethe dispenser 100 including a mechanism to lift the cigarettes S as wellas sequentially index them out of the cartridge 150/250 to be dispensed,the invention is not intended to be limited to a dispenser having theabove-described lifting mechanism, nor one having a lifting mechanism atall, and may simply index and dispense cigarettes from the cartridge150/250 without also lifting them from the dispenser 100 in a combinedmovement.

In addition to the above description and listed Figures, two sets ofsequential drawings of the stages of operation of the dispenser 100 inuse with each of the two embodiments of the cartridge 150/250 areincluded as Annex 1 and Annex 2 respectively. The drawings of theseannexes are side and plan views and show the internal features of thedispenser 100 and cartridge 150/250, with one side view sequence in eachAnnex also showing the cigarettes within the cartridge 150/250. Thereference numerals are omitted from the drawings of these annexes forclarity but correspond to all of the numbered features shown in FIGS. 1to 29C.

1. A smoking article dispenser comprising: a dispenser housing toreceive a cartridge of smoking articles; a dispenser housing interior,the dispenser housing interior having dispensing elements wherein thedispensing elements dispense a smoking article when the cartridge isactuated between a first and second position.
 2. The smoking articledispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a chassis to engage thecartridge, index and dispense smoking articles situated in thecartridge.
 3. The smoking article dispenser of claim 1, wherein thedispenser housing includes a depressible lateral end wall portion thatengages and shifts the cartridge between the first and second positions.4. The smoking article dispenser of claim 3, further comprising alinking element operatively connected with the depressible lateral endwall portion.
 5. The smoking article dispenser of claim 4, wherein thelinking element is also operatively connected to actuate a lifting armbetween a smoking article engagement position and a smoking articledispensing position.
 6. The smoking article dispenser of claim 2,wherein the chassis includes a plurality of cartridge engagement ribs toindex and advance the smoking articles within the cartridge.
 7. Thesmoking article dispenser of claim 6, wherein lateral side walls of thechassis are formed with the cartridge engagement ribs.
 8. The smokingarticle dispenser of claim 6, further comprising a cartridge to receivesmoking articles, wherein the cartridge further comprises a smokingarticle indexing piston.
 9. The smoking article dispenser of claim 8,wherein the smoking article indexing piston interacts with the cartridgeengagement ribs to index and advance the smoking articles in thecartridge as the cartridge shifts between the first and second position.10. The smoking article dispenser of claim 9, wherein the smokingarticle indexing piston includes side wings that extend throughapertures formed in the smoking article cartridge to engage thecartridge engagement ribs.
 11. The smoking article dispenser of claim 1,wherein the dispenser housing has a resealable dispensing aperture. 12.The smoking article dispenser of claim 11, further comprising adisplaceable aperture cover portion.
 13. The smoking article dispenserof claim 12, wherein the displaceable aperture cover portion isconfigured to be actuated between a first position covering theresealable dispensing aperture and a second position uncovering theresealable dispensing aperture as a lateral wall portion of thedispenser is depressed.
 14. The smoking article dispenser of claim 13,further comprising a cartridge to receive smoking articles, thecartridge comprising a smoking article indexing piston, and smokingarticle advancement stops formed as a plurality of ridges on an interiorsurface of the cartridge.
 15. The smoking article dispenser of claim 13,further comprising a cartridge to receive smoking articles, thecartridge further comprising a smoking article indexing piston, and aplurality of smoking article advancement stops formed as a plurality ofsaw tooth elements on an interior surface of the cartridge.
 16. Adispenser comprising a chassis defining a chamber to receive a cartridgeof smoking articles having an opening for discharge of said smokingarticles from the cartridge, wherein when the cartridge is received inthe chamber and slid relative to the chassis together with the smokingarticles in a first direction, the chassis cooperates with the cartridgeto allow return movement of the cartridge relative to the smokingarticles in the opposite direction, thereby discharging a smokingarticle from the opening in the cartridge to enable it to be dispensedfrom the dispenser.
 17. The dispenser according to claim 16, furthercomprising a biasing element wherein movement of the cartridge receivedin the chassis, together with the smoking articles within the cartridge,relative to the chassis in said first direction is against a forceprovided by the biasing element so that the cartridge returns in theopposite direction relative to the smoking articles upon release. 18.The dispenser according to claim 17, further comprising a smokingarticle receiving element slidable together with the cartridge receivedin the chassis, wherein said receiving element receives a smokingarticle discharged from the cartridge through said opening in thecartridge when the cartridge and the receiving element move relative tothe smoking articles in said opposite direction.
 19. The dispenseraccording to claim 18, further comprising a dispensing aperture in thechassis, wherein movement of the smoking article receiving element insaid opposite direction moves said receiving element into a position inwhich a smoking article received in said receiving element is alignedwith said dispensing aperture.
 20. The dispenser according to claim 19,wherein the receiving element moves together with the smoking articlereceived in the receiving element into a position in which said receivedsmoking article is aligned with said dispensing aperture.
 21. Thedispenser according to claim 19, wherein the chassis has first andsecond ends and the chamber is configured to receive a cartridge ofsmoking articles wherein the longitudinal axis of each smoking articleextends between said first and second ends, the cartridge being slidablewithin the chassis in a lateral direction extending substantiallyperpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said smoking articles todischarge a smoking article from the opening in the cartridge into thereceiving element in said lateral direction.
 22. The dispenser accordingto claim 21, wherein the dispensing aperture is formed in a first end ofthe chassis wherein a smoking article received in the receiving elementis aligned with the dispensing aperture in a longitudinal direction. 23.The dispenser according to claim 22, further comprising a liftingmechanism to push an aligned smoking article in said longitudinaldirection out of the receiving element through the aperture in the firstend of the chassis.
 24. The dispenser according to claim 23, wherein thelifting mechanism actuates in response to movement of the cartridge insaid opposite direction.
 25. The dispenser according to claim 24,wherein the lifting mechanism includes a lifting member to contact alower end of the aligned smoking article and a lever that cooperateswith said lifting member to lift said lifting member when the cartridgemoves in said opposite direction.
 26. The dispenser according to claim25, further comprising a slot in the receiving element, said liftingmember being slideably received in said slot for movement towards andaway from said dispensing aperture.
 27. The dispenser according to claim25, wherein said lifting member has a pair of parallel pins spaced fromeach other in said longitudinal direction and the lever comprises an armhaving one end that is slideably received between said pins.
 28. Thedispenser according to claim 27, wherein the lever is pivotally mountedto the chassis at the other end of the arm and comprises an actuatingelement for rotating the lever about the pivot to lift said liftingmember.
 29. The dispenser according to claim 28, further comprising apost on the chassis and a hook at said other end of the arm that extendsaround the post to pivotally mount the lever to the chassis, saidactuating element being formed at the free end of the hook.
 30. Thedispenser according to claim 28, further comprising a track on thechassis, said actuating element extending across said track.
 31. Thedispenser according to claim 30, wherein a follower is slideablyreceived in the track, said follower movable relative to the chassisalong said track during movement of the cartridge relative to thechassis.
 32. The dispenser according to claim 31, wherein the trackforms a complete circuit wherein the follower returns to its startingposition having travelled the full length of the track.
 33. Thedispenser according to claim 32, wherein the follower engages theactuating element in the track and further movement of the followeralong said track rotates said lever to lift the lifting element and pushan aligned smoking article in the longitudinal direction through theaperture.
 34. The dispenser according to claim 33, wherein, followingrotation of the lever, the follower rides over the actuating elementback into its start position wherein the lever at least partiallyrotates under its own weight in the opposite direction to lower thelifting member.
 35. The dispenser according to claim 34, wherein thefollower engages the actuating element as it moves along the track atthe beginning of a subsequent movement of the cartridge in a directionto rotate the partially rotated lever further in said opposite directionto completely lower the lifting member.
 36. The dispenser according toclaim 16, further comprising a cover to cover an open end of the chassisthrough which the cartridge can be inserted into the chassis.
 37. Thedispenser according to claim 36, wherein the cover forms a user-operablebutton to which pressure is applied to move the cartridge relative tothe chassis.
 38. The dispenser according to claim 16, further comprisingan outer casing surrounding the chassis and having an aperture thereinto correspond with a dispensing aperture in the chassis for the passageof smoking articles therethrough.
 39. The dispenser according to claim16, wherein the cartridge to contain smoking articles is removablypositionable within the chassis and has an opening for the discharge ofsaid smoking articles from the cartridge.
 40. The dispenser according toclaim 39, wherein the cartridge comprises a piston that moves togetherwith the cartridge in said first direction.
 41. The dispenser accordingto claim 40, further comprising a ratchet mechanism that permits returnmovement of the cartridge relative to said piston and to smokingarticles contained in the cartridge.
 42. The dispenser according toclaim 41, wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a flexible pawl on thepiston that protrudes through an opening in the cartridge, and a seriesof spaced, fixed cooperating elements formed on the chassis, wherein theflexible pawl flexes and passes over a fixed cooperating element on thechassis when the piston moves together with the cartridge in said firstdirection, said flexible pawl binding against said fixed cooperatingelements to prevent movement of the piston when the cartridge moves insaid opposite direction.
 43. The dispenser according to claim 42,wherein the fixed cooperating elements are spaced by at least thediameter of the smoking article contained in the cartridge wherein thecartridge moves relative to the piston by a distance sufficient toenable the smoking article to be discharged from the cartridge.
 44. Thedispenser according to claim 40, further comprising cooperating membersbetween the piston and the cartridge to retain the piston in a fixedposition relative to the cartridge as the cartridge moves in the firstdirection.
 45. The dispenser according to claim 44, wherein thecooperating members comprise a series of ribs on the cartridge and aflexible tip on the piston, wherein the flexible tip flexes and passesover a rib when the cartridge moves in said opposite direction relativeto the piston, and wherein said flexible tip binds against a rib toprevent movement of the piston relative to the cartridge in the firstdirection.
 46. The cartridge for the dispenser which comprises a chassisaccording to claim 16, the cartridge comprising a housing having sidewalls and an open end for the discharge of smoking articles from thecartridge, and a piston slideably received in the cartridge, the pistoncomprising a flexible pawl extending through an opening in a side wallfor engagement with corresponding cooperating elements in the chassis.47. The cartridge according to claim 46, wherein a flexible tab extendsfrom a side wall across the open end to prevent smoking articles fromfalling out through said open end prior to insertion into the dispenser.48. The cartridge according to claim 46, comprising cooperating membersbetween the piston and the cartridge to prevent the piston from movingrelative to the cartridge in a direction away from said open end. 49.The cartridge according to claim 48, wherein the cooperating memberscomprise a series of ribs on the cartridge and a flexible tip on thepiston, wherein the flexible tip flexes and passes over a rib when thepiston moves within the cartridge in a direction towards the open end ofthe cartridge, and wherein said flexible tip binds against a rib toprevent movement of the piston relative to the cartridge in thedirection away from said open end.
 50. A method of operating a dispensercomprising a chassis defining a chamber and a cartridge of smokingarticles received in the chamber and having an opening for discharge ofsaid smoking articles from the cartridge, the method comprising slidingthe cartridge relative to the chassis together with the smoking articlesin a first direction, the chassis cooperating with the cartridge toallow return movement of the cartridge relative to the smoking articlesin the opposite direction, and discharging a smoking article from theopening in the cartridge to enable the smoking article to be dispensedfrom the dispenser.
 51. The method according to claim 50 wherein thedispenser includes a biasing element, the method further comprisingmoving the cartridge together with the smoking articles relative to thechassis in said first direction against a force provided by the biasingelement and the cartridge returning in the opposite direction relativeto the smoking articles upon release.
 52. The method according to claim51 wherein the dispenser comprises a receiving element slideabletogether with the cartridge, the method further comprising a smokingarticle discharged from the cartridge though said opening being receivedin said receiving element when the cartridge and the receiving elementmove relative to the smoking articles in said opposite direction. 53.The method according to claim 52 wherein the dispenser comprises adispensing aperture in the chassis, the method further comprising movingsaid receiving element into a position in which a smoking articlereceived in said receiving element is aligned with said dispensingaperture when the smoking article receiving is moved in said oppositedirection.
 54. The method according to claim 53 further comprisingmoving the receiving element together with the smoking article receivedin the receiving element into the position in which said receivedsmoking article is aligned with said dispensing aperture.
 55. The methodaccording to claim 53 further comprising pushing the smoking articlealigned with said dispensing aperture in a longitudinal direction out ofthe receiving element through the aperture in the chassis.